Random musings of one Columbian, a place to connect and to learn more about issues and events in Howard County. If you would like to have me blog on an issue, organization or an upcoming community service event email me at duanestclair@gmail.com
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Monday, December 21, 2015

Beaver return to Lake Elkhorn

There are no more interesting animals to inhabit our area than beavers. Busy as a beaver is not just a saying. The beaver shown below has taken up residence at one end of Lake Elkhorn. I am not sure if this is a new beaver or just one that has relocated from the other end of the lake.

Below is a picture of this beaver's den.

The beaver enters the den from underwater and then travels up into the higher portion of the den where it can breath air. Below is a drawing of a den's struture.

Before I noticed the den I had noticed the effects of a beaver dam on the stream leading into the lake. What is usually a small stream that has just little flowing water in it is now full of standing water. This is a sure sign of a dam.

The area has the signs of the beaver chewing down small trees in the area.

I found a couple of explanations for why beavers build dams. Here are linksto two.

P.S.

When I visited theMaryland Book Bank last week I learned that they had their laptop stolen. This organization operates on a shoestring and provides thousands of books to children in our area. If you happen to have a laptop you are not using and would like to donate it to this organization contact me and I will get it to them. My email is at the top of the blog.